Star Citizen 4.6 introduces the Nyx system event “Clearing the Air,” new industrial missions like mining and salvaging, and the innovative LAMP night vision feature to enhance gameplay and immersion. The patch focuses on stability and lays groundwork for future content, including expanded economic gameplay, new stations, and an updated flight model, appealing to a wide range of player interests beyond combat.
In this hands-on overview of Star Citizen 4.6 on the PTU for Evocati, Ryan (aka Mac) shares his initial experiences and insights into the new patch. Contrary to his earlier expectations of a 4.5.1 update, Cloud Imperium Games has skipped ahead to 4.6, which launched with over 80 bug fixes and a focus on stability. The patch introduces a new event called “Clearing the Air” set in the Nyx system, where players engage in various mission types—hauling, resource gathering, combat, escorting, and cargo recovery—to combat a fungal infection affecting Levski’s inhabitants. These missions offer scalable rewards and multiple ways to participate, from solo play to large group efforts.
A significant highlight of 4.6 is the introduction of new industrial missions, particularly mining and salvaging. Entry-level mining missions require players to collect specific minerals like hadite, apherite, and dollarine, serving as onboarding content for newcomers. Although some missions don’t offer direct payouts, players can sell gathered resources for profit. Salvaging missions have also been expanded, with tasks involving collecting ship materials for companies like Adagio Holdings. These missions aim to familiarize players with industrial gameplay mechanics and provide a foundation for deeper progression in mining and salvaging professions.
One of the most anticipated quality-of-life improvements in this patch is the addition of LAMP (Light Amplification Mechanism Prototype) or ship night vision. This feature enhances visibility in low-light environments by amplifying natural light through the ship’s cockpit glass, providing a realistic and immersive experience. Each ship manufacturer has a unique LAMP color effect, and although not all ships have it yet, it is expected to be gradually rolled out. This improvement significantly aids navigation on dark planetary surfaces and is a substantial upgrade for pilots who previously struggled with visibility during night flights.
The patch also hints at future developments for the Nyx system, including new stations similar to Stanton’s R&R stations, scattered around key locations like the glacium rings and Kea belt. While some features such as open-ended mining missions for ground vehicles and ships are not yet available, they promise content for solo players and organizations alike. Additionally, the new flight model is expected to debut soon in Arena Commander’s Pirate Swarm mode, signaling a major gameplay evolution that will eventually impact both Star Citizen and Squadron 42.
Overall, Ryan expresses excitement about the expanding industrial content and the diverse mission types introduced in 4.6, which cater to a broad range of player interests beyond combat. The patch sets a solid foundation for future updates, including story progression in Nyx and deeper economic gameplay involving crafting and base building. With improved stability and quality-of-life features like LAMP, the update promises a richer and more immersive experience for both new and veteran players as Star Citizen continues to evolve in 2026.